Last time, we talked about recognizing ancestral energy patterns and understanding how the unresolved issues of your ancestors can show up in your life today. If you did the exercise I suggested, you probably identified at least a few patterns that have been running through your family line. Now comes the important part: what do you do about it?

I want to be clear about something before we go any further. Clearing ancestral energy isn’t a one-and-done situation. It’s not like taking an aspirin for a headache. This is deep work, and depending on how many generations these patterns have been running, it might take time. That doesn’t mean it’s hard or complicated. It just means you need to be patient and persistent.

The good news is that every time you do this work, you’re making a real difference. You’re literally changing the energy in your family line. Some people feel shifts immediately. Others notice changes over weeks or months. Either way is fine. Trust the process and trust yourself.

Understanding what you’re working with

Before you start clearing anything, you need to understand that ancestral energy patterns aren’t evil or bad. They’re just energy that got stuck. Your ancestors did the best they could with what they had. They survived wars, famines, migrations, losses, and all kinds of trauma that we might never fully understand. The patterns they created helped them survive. The problem is, those same survival patterns might be holding you back now.

When you approach this work with compassion for your ancestors, rather than blame or anger, the clearing happens more easily. You’re not trying to erase them or reject their experiences. You’re honoring what they went through while also choosing to release what no longer serves you or future generations.

The foundation: grounding and protection

Before you do any energy work, you need to be grounded and protected. I know some people roll their eyes at this, thinking it’s unnecessary or overly spiritual. Trust me, it matters. When you’re working with energy that isn’t yours, especially energy that might be heavy or intense, you need to make sure you’re stable and safe.

Grounding is simple. Sit comfortably with your feet on the floor. Close your eyes and imagine roots growing from the bottom of your feet down into the earth. Let those roots go deep. Feel yourself connected to the solid, stable energy of the earth. Take a few deep breaths and just be present with that feeling.

For protection, imagine a sphere of white or golden light surrounding you completely. This light only allows in what’s for your highest good and keeps out anything that isn’t. Some people like to call in spiritual guides, angels, or ancestors who’ve already healed and moved on. Do whatever feels right to you. The point is to create a clear boundary between you and the energy you’re working with.

Practical Step Two: The Ancestral Release Technique

Now for the actual clearing. This technique is straightforward but powerful. You’ll need about 15-20 minutes of uninterrupted time. Find a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed. Have your list of family patterns from the previous exercise nearby.

Start by grounding and protecting yourself as I described above. Once you feel centered and safe, choose one pattern from your list to work with. Don’t try to tackle everything at once. Pick the one that feels most pressing or that you have the strongest emotional reaction to.

Close your eyes and bring this pattern into your awareness. Notice where you feel it in your body. Does your chest get tight? Does your stomach clench? Do you feel it in your shoulders or your head? Just observe without trying to change anything.

Now, speak out loud or silently in your mind: “I acknowledge this pattern of [name the pattern]. I recognize that this was created by my ancestors as a way to survive and protect themselves. I honor their struggle and their strength. This pattern served them, but it no longer serves me or future generations. With love and compassion, I release this energy back to the earth to be transformed. I choose [state the opposite of the pattern] instead.”

For example, if the pattern is “fear of scarcity,” you might say: “I acknowledge this pattern of fear around money and scarcity. I recognize that my ancestors lived through times of real poverty and struggle. I honor their experience. This fear helped them survive, but it no longer serves me. With love and compassion, I release this fear back to the earth to be transformed. I choose trust in abundance instead.”

As you say these words, imagine the energy of this pattern flowing out of your body, down through your roots, and into the earth. See the earth transforming this heavy energy into something light and new. Take your time with this. Breathe deeply. Let the release happen naturally.

When you feel complete, imagine that white or golden light filling in all the spaces where the old pattern used to be. Let yourself be filled with the opposite energy, the new choice you’ve made.

What happens next?

After you do this work, pay attention to what shifts. Some people feel lighter immediately. Others notice changes in their relationships or circumstances over the following days and weeks. You might find yourself reacting differently to situations that used to trigger you. You might notice family members acting differently toward you, even if you haven’t told them what you’re doing.

Sometimes, things can feel a bit uncomfortable for a while. Old patterns don’t always leave quietly. You might have vivid dreams, emotional releases, or temporary increases in anxiety as the energy shifts. This is normal and actually a sign that the work is happening. Stay grounded, keep breathing, and be gentle with yourself.

You can repeat this process as often as you need to. Work through your list of patterns one at a time. Some patterns will release easily. Others might need multiple sessions. There’s no right or wrong way to do this. You’re learning to work with energy, and like any skill, it gets easier with practice.

A word about resistance

If you find yourself resisting this work or making excuses not to do it, that’s actually information. Resistance often shows up when we’re about to make a real change. Your ego, and sometimes the ancestral pattern itself, will try to convince you that this won’t work, or that you don’t have time, or that it’s silly to even try.

Don’t fight the resistance. Just acknowledge it and do the work anyway. You don’t have to believe it will work. You just have to be willing to try. I’ve seen people who were skeptical get powerful results because they showed up and did the practice anyway.

The bigger picture

When you clear ancestral patterns, you’re participating in something much larger than your individual healing. You’re contributing to the healing of your entire family system. You’re changing the trajectory for future generations. You’re showing that it’s possible to break cycles and choose something different.

This is sacred work, even if it doesn’t feel that way when you’re sitting in your living room with your eyes closed. You’re literally rewriting your family’s energy blueprint. You’re becoming an ancestor that future generations will be grateful for.

So take it seriously, but don’t make it harder than it needs to be. This isn’t about being perfect or getting it exactly right. It’s about showing up with intention and compassion, doing the work, and trusting that it matters. Because it does.